1996: New Sydney Showgrounds plans unveiled

As we trek towards the Royal Easter Show starting Thursday Week and the 25th anniversary of the show being staged at Sydney Olympic Park, I delved through the collection and found clippings from when plans were unveiled in October 1996. 

They had eighteen months from unveiling plans to unveiling it to the world. They bought construction forward by twelve months to have it ready for the 1998 Royal Easter Show. 

 

 Source: de Vine, B. 1996. "Our $384m Show". The Daily Telegraph, October 22: 1-2. 

Compared to Moore Park, the 30-hectare site was only two hectares larger but offered 50% more floor space for exhibitions.

 

Source: Totaro, P. 1996. "Carr lifts wraps off plan for new $384m Showground". The Sydney Morning Herald, October 23: 2. 

The cost of building the new showgrounds was $384 million, more than three times the figure released in an NSW State Government cabinet minute in 1993. 

To get the venue completed for 1998, workers were offered thousands of dollars in productivity bonuses.

 

Source: Robinson, M. & Bissett, K. 1996. "Bonus ensures Show goes on". The Daily Telegraph, December 24:14. 

Below is a photo of the construction of the Main Arena from March 1997.

Source: Anon. 1997. "New show site has a ring to it". The Daily Telegraph, March 20: 2. 

The "finishing touches" were done on the Main Arena in January 1998.

Source: Snell, S. 1998. "Let's put on a show!". The Sunday Telegraph, January 4: 14. 

On 27 January 1998, the Exhibition Halls including The Dome were handed over to the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW. The Gift Show held between 21 February and 25 February 1998 was the first event to be held in the new showgrounds ahead of the Royal Easter Show.

Source: McDougall, B. 1998. " The Show goes on". The Daily Telegraph, January 28: 15. 

Property Advert of the Week: Jacaranda Estate, Peakhurst (1966)

Below is a 1966 newspaper advertisement for the Jacaranda Estate at Peakhurst. Based on maps, the 12 sewered lots were located in David Place (access via Ogilvy Street). No price figure was provided for the blocks on offer, but for an additional £4750 ($9500), a home could be built on the block. 

Source: John L. Nichols & Co. Pty. Ltd. 1966. Untitled (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, October 1: 49.

Note: Goods and services were permitted to advertise in pounds, shillings and pence for two years following the introduction of decimal currency on 14 February 1966.

1998: Broadway Shopping Centre opens

Source: The Broadway Shopping Centre. 1998. "The Broadway Shopping Centre" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, March 29: 48.

On 31 March 1998, The Broadway Shopping Centre was opened at Glebe. The new centre incorporated part of the former Grace Bros flagship store that had occupied the site for 84 years between 1908 and 1992.

   

Source: The Broadway Shopping Centre. 1998. "There is something new in the city" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, March 31: 6. 

The centre was anchored by Coles, Bi-Lo, Kmart and Hoyts Cinemas. Mini-majors comprised Freedom Furniture, Harris Farm Markets, Collins Booksellers, Freedom Furniture, Crazy Prices, Rebel Sport and Chandlers.

In 2007, an additional level was added, along with renovations in 2016.

Twenty-five years later, the centre is still anchored by Coles, Kmart and Hoyts Cinemas but has been joined by Aldi and Target. Only two mini-majors have survived - Rebel Sport and Harris Farm Markets but now have the company of H&M, JB Hi-fi, Harvey Norman, Sephora and The Reject Shop. 

Did you know that they had to work through the night just to have it ready for opening day, and even then, some of the finishing touches still had to be done.

Source: Sussand, A. 1998. "Broadway's hell turns to yuppie heaven". The Sydney Morning Herald, March 31: 6. 

Source: Blake, E. 1998. "Broadway's $170m lease of life. The Daily Telegraph, March 31: 3 (Final edition).

Property Advert of the Week: Regency Chatswood East Tower Launch (1998)

Below is a 1998 newspaper advertisement promoting the launch of The Regency Chatswood East Tower. Apartments were on sale in the tower from just $170 000.

Source: Walker Corporation. 1998. "Regency Chatswood" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, June 13: 11RE (Real Estate Liftout). 

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1970: The end of the Hotel Metropole

1970 saw the closure of the Hotel Metropole in Bent Street after eighty years of trading. It was a victim of progress that was occurring in central Sydney. The last day of trade was 5 May 1970 with a final breakfast.

   

Source: Anon. 1970. "The last breakfast". The Sun, April 10: 50.

Prior to its closure, the crockery and cutlery were already being souvenirs by souvenir hunters.

Source: Anon. 1970. "Hotel's Final Breakfast". The Sun, May 1: 21. 

In the auction that followed, the staircase failed to sell. 

 

 Source: Anon. 1970. "Hotel's Stairs Might Stay". The Daily Telegraph, May 20: 3.

Property Advert of the Week: Excelsior Gardens, Castle Hill (1968)

Below is a newspaper advertisement for the Excelsior Gardens Estate at Castle Hill. Homesites were available for $4000, equivalent to approximately $56 000 today (RBA Inflation Calculator).

The estate appears to encompass streets that branch off Drayton Avenue in Castle Hill including George Mobbs Drive, Brunette Avenue and Cynthia Avenue, Castle Hills.

  

Source: Parkes Developments. 1968. "First Release - Excelsior Gardens Castle Hill" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, March 16: 39.  

1984: City Housing Scheme - Ultimo

Above: Blackwattle House, Ultimo. Photo taken by the Author (2022). 

In 1984, Sydney City Council unveiled the first stage of an $8.5 million social housing project in Ultimo. The intended goal was to increase the population of the inner city.

The first block was Blackwattle House at the corner of Bay and Kelly Street in Ultimo. This is located next to the International Grammar School.

 

 Source: Anon. 1984. "Sutherland unveils $8.5mil project". The Daily Telegraph, February 29: 16.

Property Advert of the Week: The Embassy Apartments - Chippendale (1999)

Below is a 1999 newspaper advertisement promoting apartments for sale in "The Embassy Apartments" on Wiley Street, Chippendale.

 

Source: United Realty & Property Partners, 1999. "The Embassy Apartments" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, June 5: 22RE (Real Estate Liftout).